Neil Dyer is confident Hawks Bay is on track for another Darwin Cup campaign despite the gelding having to wear glue-on shoes for the first time at Flemington.
Dyer said the gear change was precautionary after Hawks Bay had feet trouble following his last start at Geelong where he finished eighth carrying a back-breaking 67.5kg in the St Patrick’s Gold Cup (1400m) on March 17.
He is again topweight in Saturday’s Muscular Dystrophy Australia Plate (1600m) but with a more manageable 61kg.
Dyer said the big weight at Geelong wasn’t the reason for Hawks Bay’s feet trouble which prevented him from running at Moonee Valley two weeks ago.
“He’s a big, strong bugger and he carries 75kg or 80kg in trackwork every day of the week,” Dyer said.
Hawks Bay led until well into the home straight at Geelong before weakening over the last 200 metres.
Dyer had also entered Hawks Bay in the Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo the same day but felt the Geelong race was over a more suitable distance and against lesser quality opposition.
He said the six-year-old’s feet issues were only minor and is happy for him to run at Flemington.
“With the stick-on shoes this week he will be okay,” Dyer said.
“He’s got good ability and is as honest as they come.
“I really think he is on course for another good preparation.”
Dyer said Hawks Bay would follow a similar program to last year which culminated in a popular Darwin Cup victory after finishing second in the race the two previous years.
“He is going as good as ever,” Dyer said.
“He hasn’t lost anything from last year and I think he will be very competitive on Saturday.
“He will get benefit from the run but once this one is out of the way he will be right back to his best next time.”
Dyer said Hawks Bay would campaign in Victoria before having a quiet month and heading to Darwin in early June.
Michelle Payne will ride Hawks Bay who is at $21 with TAB Sportsbet which has German import Mawingo as $3 favourite.
Mawingo, making his Australian debut for the Anthony Freedman stable, was at $5 when markets opened on Wednesday but has replaced Under The Hat, $4.80 to $6.50, as top pick in the betting with Booklet also at $6.50 and first emergency Mr O’Ceirin at $10.
